- Specific skills: Knowledge and skills to plan and develop applied research in different areas of society. Knowledge of social science methodology and its basic techniques, fundamental for further advanced courses on the techniques and methodology. - General skills: Capacity for analysis and synthesis. Ability to relate knowledge of Sociology and related disciplines such as Political Science. Ability of organization and planning Ability to manage information

1. Introduction to the origins of social research 2. Qualitative and quantitative techniques (interviews and surveys) 3. Primary sources and secondary sources (design of the questionnaire and exploitation of CIS and ESE databases) 4. Phases of research: Formulation of the research question and hypotheses, operationalization of concepts, dimensions and indicators 5. Types of questions, types of variables and types of scales 6. Dependent, independent and control variables 7. Hypothesis tests (Chi2, Pearson's r, ANOVA) 8. Sampling techniques (Simple, stratified, cluster and multistage) 9. Calculation of the size of a sample, calculation of sampling error, types of sampling and non-sampling error, types of fixation and confidence intervals

The training activities will combine lectures, classroom practice, independent work individually and work in groups, and the readings. The theoretical content presented through lectures will actively work through readings and class discussions. Part of the theoretical issues are discussed through examples, case studies and practical exercises of various kinds by which students become familiar with the actual use in sociology of social research techniques. The practice sessions are conducted using data from surveys compiled by the National Statistics Institute (INE) and the Center for Sociological Research (CIS), among others. Also during the course conducts a survey from start to finish, from questionnaire design to data analysis. Students can learn to use the software SPSS survey data as the main tool of analysis.